Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/32232
WORLD FENCE NEWS • JUNE 2011 • 73 March construction levels remain even with prior month BEDFORD, Mass. – New con- struction starts in March came in at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $404.9 billion, essentially the same pace as February, according to Mc- Graw-Hill Construction, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies. While total construction was un- changed from the prior month, this steady pattern came as the result of di- vergent behavior by construction’s three main sectors. Non-residential building in March increased sharply, following its sub- dued activity earlier this year, but de- clines were registered by housing and non-building construction (public works and electric utilities). Through the first three months of 2011, total construction on an unad- justed basis was reported at $88.0 bil- lion, down 10% from the same period a year ago. The March data produced a read- ing of 86 for the Dodge Index (2000=100), the same as February. Since 2009, the Dodge Index has hov- ered within the range of 81 and 96. “This period of low-level stability is looking to be more and more ex- tended, pushing back the time when renewed expansion for overall con- struction activity is likely to take hold,” said Robert A. Murray, vice- president of economic affairs for Mc- Graw-Hill Construction. “Public works had initially offset some of the weakness shown by other types of construction, but it’s now be- ginning to lose momentum, given waning support from the federal stim- ulus act, tight state budgets, and cut- backs in federal funding included in the recently approved fiscal 2011 ap- propriations. While multifamily hous- ing has strengthened in hesitant fashion, single family housing contin- ues to be stalled. “For non-residential building, there’s still the downward pull coming from the institutional categories, but on the plus side commercial building seems to have already reached bottom, and the gains for commercial building in March would appear to be a positive development going forward. The note of caution for commercial building is that market fundamentals such as oc- cupancies have only just begun to im- prove, and banks remain very cautious with regard to lending for new proj- ects,” he said. Is your business or association positioned for the changing economy? Do you have the strategy in place to put you and your staff/members in the best position to succeed? If the answer to the above questions is anything other than a solid “YES”, then contact us to discuss possible ways we can help you to improve your overall operations and to help put you and your business or association in a better position to succeed. MANAGEMENT MOTIVATIONAL ASSOCIATES, INC. When you need an experienced executive level management consultant like Jim Lucci to review overall business strategy and procedures or business specifics such as sales training, staff motivation, time management, inventory control, scheduling, yard/warehouse layout, etc., call Jim Lucci at 516-379-0903 or fill out and return the coupon below by mail or fax to 516-379-2404 or contact us by e-mail at MMAJandJ@aol.com (please identify subject as “consulting”). We will contact you promptly to discuss your needs and schedule business, seminar, meeting or convention appointments and rates. Appointments may be made for personal appearances or telephone consultations. Jim Lucci World Fence News contributing editor Read Jim Lucci’s monthly column: The Human Link • Jim’s by-line: PROFIT IS NOT A DIRTY WORD!™ Past IFIA Convention speaker and presenter of Eastern International Convention keynote addresses COUPON Fill out (please print) and return to: James V. (Jim) Lucci Management Motivational Associates, Inc. 18 Hansome Place • Freeport, NY 11520 • MMAJandJ@aol.com Please call me. I’m interested in____________________________________________________ Telephone________________________________ Convenient time________________________ Fax Number _____________________________ E-mail: ________________________________ Name __________________________________________________________________________ Name of Business/Organization_____________________________________________________ Address_________________________________________________________________________ City________________________________ State ______________ Zip _____________________ BUSINESS PARTNER OF THE American Fence Association FOR 10 YEARS! 678-300-8492 JOHN NACE RUSH TRUCK CENTER johnisuzu@hotmail.com FORD BUSTER! THE TerraStar by International NO DEF SYSTEM 2012 TerraStar 16,000 GVW – 19,500 GVW, 300 H.P. V/8 Diesel, Allison Automatic, A/C AM/FM CD, 3 Man Seating, 19.5 Tires Prices starting at $39,987 (16,000 GVW) Can handle 12 ft. to 18 ft. flat bed Delivery with bed or dropped shipped Call For Details! ISUZU GAS TRUCKS! NEW 2012’s COMING IN JULY ’11! TAKING ORDERS NOW! 12,000/14,500 GVW Deck Height 34” High BUSINESS PARTNER OF THE American Fence Association FOR 10 YEARS!